Laduree Hot Chocolate Recipe Knock Off

Laduree Hot Chocolate Recipe Knock Off @savedbyloves

If you read anything about traveling to Paris, Ladurée hot chocolate and macarons are bound to be mentioned. We heard about the place first on Rick Steve’s audio Paris app, in one of his many interviews with Parisians.  Then pretty much everyone we talked to about “must see places” in Paris recommended we go there for chocolat chaud (hot chocolate).

Laduree Paris

Well we went there, and I must say, the hot chocolate was smooth and divine.

chocolat chaud paris Recipe

I came home, and much like with the french onion soup recipe I shared yesterday, I had to try to recreate the experience here in Indiana! After some time with Google, I found this Parisian Hot Chocolate Recipe. I followed it to the letter, using Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips from the local Wal Mart. To grind them, I used my blender on “grind”. I also blended the mixture after adding the chocolate in the same blender on “Liquefy” for 1 minute.

Best Hot Chocolate Recipe

It was so much like the real thing! The next 10 minutes consisted of “mmmm….” and that’s about it. I have made it twice more since then, and it is a huge hit in our house. I won’t make hot chocolate any other way now.  If you can’t make it to Laduree, this is the next best option! Enjoy.

How I Maintain My Wellness with 5 Healthy Habits

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

Are you a woman with an active lifestyle, approaching her 40’s?  How is your health awareness?   Have you noticed that things like your memory, digestive health and energy level have changed since the twenty year old you was in town?  It is impossible to think that5 years ago I ran two full marathons, and all of the training that goes with that endeavor.

FirstMarathon

 

As a full time DIY blogger, wife, step mom, doggie momma and caretaker of my grandparents, and avid runner to name a few things, I need all the help I can get maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  As I age, I have to supplement my diet to stay on top of things physically, mentally and emotionally.
Walgreens Women's Health

Thankfully, Walgreens is just the spot for my women’s health needs.  I can score my vitamins and supplements in a snap, for great prices.

 

#HerHealth #CollectiveBias

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#HerHealth #CBias #shop #CollectiveBias[pinit]

 

 

 My top 5 habits for staying energetic, alert, focused and healthy are:

1.  Lots of water.  So much water.  My mom got me on a water kick recently.  Before she stepped in, I was all about coffee and diet soda.  Now I am drinking 70-80 ounces of water daily.  At first, I would just chug from my water bottle and get it over with, but now I enjoy and even crave the stuff.  I feel more energetic and have better skin!  I am sure my kidneys are happier too.
Fish Oil Supplements copy

2.  Omega-3-Fatty Acids.  I swear that can see a notable increase in my ability to remember things, like names of people I meet, when I consistently take daily fish oil supplements.  These essential fatty acids are not made by the body and therefore must be ingested.  We need them for optimal health!

 

3.  Women’s Daily Vitamin – Ok, so they are gummies.  Don’t judge.  They still contain vitamin D and Calcium for women’s bone health.  These help me cover all bases when I may be skewed one way or another with my diet.

4.  Digestive Health Probiotic Supplement – Years of eating like a rabbit and on the go have decreased the “good bacteria” in my stomach that aid in digesting what I need from my food.  The result is super unpleasant and includes bloating, irregularity and poor nutrition.   It is important for us ladies with crazy schedules to get the most out of those times we do stop to eat.  That is where probiotics come to the rescue.  They replace the helpful bacteria and improve digestion of nutrients and regularity.  Bye bye bloating!

5.  Sweat, everyday.  Get my heart rate up for at least 30 minutes.   For me, this comes from running, which I wouldn’t feel like doing much at all without 1-4!

 

No marathons are in my calendar this year, but I am tackling an obstacle, muddy 5k, which is a first for me!  What are your healthy habits?   Do you participate in races?

Low Carb Chicken Parmesan With Spaghetti Squash

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Low Carb Recipes Chicken Parmesan With Spaghetti Squash @savedbyloves

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I am so excited to share with you my version of Low Carb Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash.  This has got to be one of my favorite dishes ever.  I love every bite, and can’t believe it weighs in at only 400 calories per serving.  This recipe serves 2.  If you aren’t full and satisfied, you are insatiable!

LOW CARB CHICKEN PARM SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Ingredients:

CHICKEN PARM
(2) chicken breasts, raw
1 egg white
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
¼ cup Fiber One Cereal
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning herb blend
½ tsp garlic powder
½ cup pastasauce (w/ approx. 60 calories)
¼ cup shredded parmesan or mozzarella

SPAGHETTI SQUASH
1 small spaghetti squash
1 tsp olive oil
¼ cup minced onion
salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375° . Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise remove pulp and seeds (just like to do with a pumpkin)!  Bake 35 minutes with rind up on baking pan.  While that is baking, prepare the chicken as follows.

2. Add Fiber One cereal to food processor and blend until breadcrumb like consistency (if you don’t have a food processor, you can put in a plastic bag and crush with the back of a heavy spoon).

3. Put Fiber One crumbs into a Ziploc bag and add the Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Set aside.

4. In a small bowl, whisk the egg white and almond milk until well blended.

5. Dip each chicken breast, both sides into egg mixture then put into Ziploc bag. Seal annd shake the Ziploc bag until both chicken breasts are evenly coated with the Fiber One mixture.

6. When squash is done cooking, turn oven down to 350°.  Place the chicken breasts onto the baking pan and put into oven for 25 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.
7. While chicken is cooking, coat a skillet with cooking spray and add 1 tsp olive oil and onion over med-high heat. When onion is tender and slightly browned (approximately 5 mins), add the prepared spaghetti squash (run a fork from stem to stern to remove the spaghetti center of the cooked squash right into the skillet).
8. Cook squash, stirring every few minutes, for 15 minutes.  Turn off heat and let sit.
9. Remove the chicken from the oven.  Evenly layer half of the pasta sauce then half of the cheese onto each breast.
10. Put back into the oven and broil for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted.
11. Place half of the spaghetti squash and one chicken breast onto a plate for each serving.

Low carb healthy recipes Chicken Parmesan

 

 

Delicious Spinach Meat Lasagna Recipe

[pinit]Lasagna Recipe @savedbyloves[pinit]

Do you love lasagna as much as I do?  It is a personal favorite, especially when I can eat it without guilt.  Today I am sharing my recipe for a protein, vitamin packed spinach and ground sirloin lasagna.  I use cottage cheese in place of half of the ricotta cheese to cut back on fat, with no compromise in taste!

Best Lasagna Recipes

INGREDIENTS:

12 lasagna noodles

1 pound lean ground sirloin or ground turkey

2 minced garlic cloves

24 ounces marinara sauce

16 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained

2 cups cottage cheese

2 cups ricotta cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 egg

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Boil lasagna noodles per instructions.  While they are boiling, cook and crumble ground meat in large skillet.  Pour off grease.

Add garlic to meat and cook 2 more minutes.

Add marinara to meat, stir and remove from heat.

Strain spinach and remove excess water.

Combine cottage cheese, ricotta, spinach, 1 cup of mozzarella, parmesan, egg, salt and pepper in mixing bowl.

Spread a thin layer of sauce with meat on bottom of 9×13 inch baking dish.

Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles over sauce.

Spread 1/3 of cheese mixture over noodles and spoon 3/4 cup of sauce over the cheese.

Repeat these layers, topping final layer of noodles with remaining sauce and remaining cup of mozzarella.

Bake in preheated oven at 375°F for 45 minutes.  Enjoy!

5 Ways to Flush Fat out of Your Body

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Add these fat busting foods to your regular diet and eat to lose!  Tips from Dr. Oz @savedbyloves

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It is swimsuit time again.  If eating could help you get rid of fat, would that be interesting to you?  Well, with certain vitamin packed foods, it can.  Dr. Oz recently aired a show on foods that you can add to your diet that will decrease fat absorption or increase its metabolism, getting rid of it so you don’t carry it with you!   Here are 5 simple additions to your diet that will help flush out the fat.
Chia Cocktail for weight loss Dr. OzCHIA SEED
Dolvett Quince, trainer from The Biggest Loser, shared a Chia seed cocktail that deceases fat absorption.  You just add water, a splash of lemon juice, a couple of tablespoons of chia seed and agave to sweeten.  Great for re-hydrating after excercise while incorporating high fiber, fat absorbing chia.

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-pumpkin-seeds-image28783419

PUMPKIN SEEDS

Add these to salad and meat dishes.  They are high in protein, zinc and all the things you need to flush, as well as MG for muscle health .  Have one cup a few times each week for results.

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-fresh-white-round-daikon-radish-image19600429DAIKON

Daikon is a member of the radish family that is high in fiber, vitamin C, phosphorus and potassium. It is common in Asian cuisine and speeds up the body’s metabolism of carbs and fat.   Add it to salads, soups, and anywhere you would use traditional radishes.

Quinoa Recipe

QUINOA

Quinoa looks like a mix between couscous and rice and is a versitile food that can be added to endless dishes.  It is high protein and vitamins, has a lower glycemic index that other whole grains, and has been proven to decrease appetite.  This quinoa, chicken, tomato salad recipe is a great way to incorporate this into your diet.

2 cups chicken stock
2 tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh basil
1/4 cup fresh mint
2 tbsp olive oil
2 celery ribs
3 garlic cloves
2 chicken breasts

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photos-watermelon-image24033118

WATERMELON

I saved my favorite for last. Eating watermelon is known to aid in weight loss help strengthen the immune system.  This is good news if you love like we do in our house!

What are you doing to stay fit this summer?

A Woman & Her Weight Loss Resolution

Today I am sharing with you a dear friend’s weight loss victory (and the failures that preceeded it).  This is not the typical crafty post you find here at SBLC, but it is something I believe in and have witnessed firsthand.  Not only that, but it is an important topic on the minds of millions as New Year’s diet resolutions are being made for 2013.  I am the first to roll my eyes and change the channel when I hear weight loss miracle commercials, and if you ever told me I would be posting about one of those plans, I would have thought you were nuts.  Watching someone I am close to try everything under the sun to no avail, then find a healthy approach that works has made me a believer.

Meet Urusla

How to Lose Weight With Take Shape For Life; a real testimonial

We met in 2006 and became workout buddies right away.  Over the years, I have watched this woman eat like a rabbit, try this diet plan and that, run everyday, and not lose a pound.  Or lose a pound and gain 4 back, while still on the diet and exercise plan, feeling exhausted all the time.    We have trained for and run a half marathon together, done group classes and gym workouts regularly, all the while Ursula sharing with me her frustration with her metabolism, stubborn weight and high cholesterol.

UrsulaNewYears

Ursula and I with friends New Year’s 2008

I moved away, so haven’t been in regular contact with Ursula for the past 2 years.  Imagine my delight when she recently told me she had lost 30 lbs over 3 months.  I couldn’t believe it.  Not only that but she feels great and has seen a huge improvement in her cholesterol levels.  She did this with Take Shape For Life, which you can read all about by clicking the link.

In Ursula’s words

“I have struggled for years to lose those last 20 pounds and to improve my blood work – without success. Then I found this program. 6 weeks into it my cholesterol had gone from 244 to 184, my triglycerides dropped from the 200.s to 63 and my blood sugar is 77 – all without medication. After 11 weeks I have now lost 26 pounds and feel better than I have in years!”

I asked her what made this approach so doable, and she said “it’s just easy.”  No counting of anything, no going hungry or exercising obsessively – but instead a healthy, effective, sustainable way of life.

Ursula’s father visited from Germany, and as soon as he saw her at the airport, he wanted to do what she did.  He started TSFL, dropped 12 lbs in two weeks, and ordered meals for he and his girlfriend back home!  If weight loss was on my resolution list this year, I would be giving Take Shape For Life a go.

Lean Cuisine & More Frozen Goodies at Sam’s Club

Lean Cuisine Sam's Club #CBias #SocialFabric #FrozenFavorites

Do you shop at Sam’s Club?  I have one not to far from me, and when I can remember the resolution I made to save by buying in bulk, I stop by for the things my family loves.  I am the first to admit that cooking is not one of my faves, so the frozen foods section is a go to spot.  It is not that I don’t like to cook, it is the time involved.  Being a healthy eater married to a healthy eater, I love the idea of being in control of what is going into each meal, so cooking from scratch would be great… if I had a clone.  Healthy frozen meals that don’t break the bank are the perfect solution for me.  That is why I was so thrilled to have this opportunity with Sam’s Club and Lean Cuisine.

Lean Cuisine Sam's Club #CBias #SocialFabric #FrozenFavorites

I love Sam’s Club’s Signage.  My 30’s have brought with them a less keen sense of vision, so I appreciate not having to squint to see what is where.

Lean Cuisine Sam's Club #CBias #SocialFabric #FrozenFavorites

$11.25 for 6 meals that are ready in 3 minutes and have 22o calories?  Um… yes, please.  Does it get any more budget friendly, healthy meal than that?  The 6 pack contains 2 each of Sesame Chicken, Ginger Garlic Stir-Fry and Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry.  They all sound fabulous.  I opted for the Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry and steamed broccoli florets (also from this trip to Sam’s Club.  This was super simple and quick to prepare.  Not only that, but did I mention I got six meals for under $12?

Lean Cuisine Sam's Club #CBias #SocialFabric #FrozenFavorites

Lean Cuisine Sam's Club #CBias #SocialFabric #FrozenFavorites

Lean Cuisine Sam's Club #CBias #SocialFabric #FrozenFavorites

I am quite delighted with the Lean Cuisine new Asian Flavor 6-pack at Sam’s Club. I will definitely be grabbing one of these on my next trip!   You can check out more photos and details of my shopping trip to Sam’s in tornado like weather by checking out my Google+ story:  My Sam’s Club #FrozenFavorites Adventure.  Join me and become a fan and follower of Lean Cuisine on Facebook and Twitter.

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and (Nestle) LEAN CUISINE #CBias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are my own.

Lose 10 lbs Challenge From Dr. Oz

Dr. Oz 10 lb Challenge

Dr. Oz has issued a 10 lb weight loss challenge that is straightforward and doable.  The payout for the effort put into these steps will be huge, not just for the waist line, but for overall health and longevity.  As always, Dr. Oz channels his medical expertise into an understandable, life enhancing plan we could all stand to incorporate into our daily routines.

THE RULES (or suggestions, if you don’t like to be told what to do):

  • Bye bye to soda – We are talking the high fructose corn syrup kind here, attributed to tooth decay, diabetes and more.
  • No food after 3 hours til bed time – Got it?
  • 10 minutes of motion a day – This seems low to me, but that is what he says.  Walking, throwing a frisbee, playing with kiddos…
  • Portion control – No forbidden foods?  I like that.  His rule of thumb is no snacks larger than your fist… sorry Big Mac.
  • Get on that scale everyday – accountability is key; track weight = lose weight (ok, not if it is the only thing you do, but it helps)
  • Take Vitamin B complex everyday – B vitamins are essential in metabolizing food, and in energy production to help you keep going.
  • Take daily vitamins – This should include Calcium (600 mg, plus 600 mg from food) and Magnesium (400 mg) for bone strength,  Vitamin D3 (1,000 IU taken with DHA) for memory and heart health, DHA (900 mg) for memory, vision, heart and prevention of strokes, Probiotics spore form for decreased inflammation and enhanced immunity and a Multivitamin to cover what your diet misses.
  • Healthy recipe planning – Dr. Oz provides a host of healthy recipes to keep your calories low, many with a budget in mind.
  • Know serving sizes and how many you can have of each family – There has got to be an app for this, right?  This plan allows 10 servings a day as follows;  Protein and fats 4 servings daily, Complex carbs 3 servings, Fruits 3 servings and Veggies unlimited.  The unlimited veggies help keep you from being hungry (in theory).  The important thing to keep in mind here is how much of whatever you are eating = a serving size.  Did you know that the 1 serving of cheese is the size of 2 dice?  Yikes.  I am at least a 5 dice kind of gal.  Get informed.  There are ample resources available to help you get on the level with serving sizes.
  • Don’t get too hungry – If you do, you are more likely to binge.  Make sure your meals have plenty of protein and fiber (complex carbohydrates), so you stay full longer.  Healthy snacks between meals are great too.

Remember holiday and party pitfalls, and take steps to guard against falling off the wagon:  Don’t go to parties or shopping hungry, have accountability partners in your life, no snacks/desserts larger than your fist, etc.  if the food at an event is going to be too tempting, you can opt out of going . Do what you have to do.  Commit.

What has worked for you?  What has not?

Dr. Oz – 3 Simple Ways Boost Your Metabolism in Under 5 Minutes

Boost your metabolism

Today’s Dr. Oz show was packed full of  simple, doable ways to propel the body’s metabolism into high gear.  Turning 35 soon, I was all ears.  I have noticed I can’t get away with as much midnight ice cream as I use to enjoy, and that is just not o.k.  Three ways to easily increase body’s ability to burn fat caught my ear, and that is what I am sharing with you today.  Every little bit helps, right?!

  • Every morning at breakfast drink the following concoction:
    2 Tbsp tomato Juice.
    1/2 Tsp Horseradish.
    Dash of hot sauce.
    Squeeze of lime.

This is packed with powerful antioxidants to blast belly fat and rich in metabolism-boosters vitamin C and limonene.

  • At lunch, replace soda with Kombucha Wonder Drink, which costs $3.00.

This bubbly tea is available at natural food stores and contains oolong tea which helps protect your liver so it can concentrate on metabolizing fat

  • At night, combine a spicy red wine, ice chips, and a bit of mint.

The wine helps you relax and boosts metabolism for up to 95 minutes.  Adding ice chips to your red wine makes your body to burn extra calories since it takes energy to warm the drink to body temperature. The mint’s scent has been shown to stave off late-night hunger.

 

Get the Most From Your Workouts With These 8 Facts

Exercise tips

With the gorgeous spring weather, the desire to be fit for summer clothes and bathing suits goes into full drive.  I must admit, I have really let myself go in terms of fitness this year.  The last few weeks have seen me hitting the pavement, with a much slower pace than I am use to, and some labored breathing.  I am a runner, and also tend to be insanely somewhat competitive, particularly with myself.  Since I am nowhere near the pace I was 2 years ago, I am grabbing any tips I can to help me get the most of my time at the gym and outdoors.  Here are some tips I picked up at the gym over the weekend.  Some of them I knew, but others I had no idea.  Time to go buy myself some peppermint…

 

The smell of peppermint makes people feel more vigorous and less frustrated while exercising.

 

Apples are more effective at keeping people awake than a cup of coffee.

 

Playing with your children or grandchildren for an hour burns as many calories as walking briskly for an hour.  One is more fun.

 

Eating small snacks between meals helps you eat less and prevents overeating/binging.

 

Exercise prevents heart disease, stroke and type II diabetes.

 

One beer = 15 minutes of continuous jumproping.

 

Eating spicy food 1-2 hours before exercising can increase your metabolism as much as 50%.

 

The average American consumes 45 gallons of soda per year, which is equal to 21 lbs of body fat.

 

 

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